1. Can you identify the religious symbols on this popular bumper sticker
Can you identify the religious symbols on this popular bumper sticker? Quietly write them, 1-7 if you can. .

2. What does this sticker mean to you?
Use Numbered Heads Together:
Take some time to think
Then write a complete, cogent, and meaningful sentence describing your understanding of this sticker.
Discuss your viewpoint with your group members

3. First Amendment
Freedom of Religion….

4. Luther’s Legacy in the west...
According to Luther: He exercised the renaissance principle of ad fontes (“back to the sources”) and rediscovered Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Sola Christus, soli Deo Gloria.
According to the Enlightenment (and of use to us as we examine the 1st Amendment): Luther championed the rights of the individual conscience.

5. Diet of Worms
"Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen."

6. What is the big deal? Why was this important to the founders?
OR NONE AT ALL!

7. European History during Christendom
As the king went, so did the people. Catholic king=Catholic country; Protestant king=Protestant country.
If you can’t move, in most cases you would suffer, or at least feel very unwelcome.
The Founders want to ensure a nation where we can avoid fighting over religion.

8. Different perspectives held by people that need to share a country 
“God has said…” Traditional theism (Bible, Torah, Koran)
“Has God said?” Deism and modernized theism (Usually the Bible, critically received. Example: Thomas Jefferson’s non-supernaturalized/demythologized Bible)
“Who cares?” All religions lead to _______.

9. Freedom of Religion
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
Federal Govt. cannot establish a national church, even though 6/13 states had established churches—mostly Anglican or Congregationalist. (The establishment clause)
Federal Govt. can’t tell you who, what, how, or when to worship. (The free exercise clause)

10. Article 6 section 3
 ”No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”

11. Separation of Church and state
These words do not appear in the Constitution.
However, many people take the establishment clause and free exercise clause to mean this.
Jefferson wrote a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in They complained that in their state, the religious liberties they enjoyed were not seen as immutable rights, but as privileges granted by the legislature — as "favors granted." Jefferson's reply did not address their concerns about problems with state establishment of religion — only of establishment on the national level.
The letter contains the phrase "wall of separation between church and state," which led to the short-hand for the Establishment Clause that we use today: "Separation of church and state."

12. Separation, and “Christian America” vs. Purely secular state
Do your research: There is plausible evidence for both sides, especially when describing what you mean and when personal bias is accounted for.
Claims by both groups testifies to the success of the Constitution and the American experiment. Atheists, Deists, and Theists could agree on non-establishment.
The history of the church and the state being separate is a long one in the U.S.
Clarifying thoughts (write this!): When determining legal authority, we consider the constitution as legally binding and authoritative, not the Puritan fathers, or even the Declaration of Independence.

13. The Lemon Test
1. The purpose of the aid must be secular (nonreligious).
2. Its primary effect must neither advance nor inhibit religion.
3. There must be an avoidance of “excessive entanglement” of government with religion.

14. http://www. realclearpolitics
What do you think of President Obama’s speech?
Did it favor one religion over another?
What religious traditions was he including?
What religious traditions was he excluding?
Was this a violation of the establishment clause?

15. Sad Facts about 1st Amendment (2016)
41% of Americans under the age of 35 think it goes too far.
Only 57% of voting public can ID freedom of speech as a 1st Amendment right.
Only19% can ID freedom of religion.
Less than 10% of Americans can ID freedom of press, assembly, and petition as being a 1st Amendment right.

16. Key cases
Allows for student led religious groups at schools. (see you at the pole, Bible clubs etc)
Westside community schools v Mergens.
“Scopes monkey trial” (not a supreme court case)
Early evolution case, teacher John Scopes fined $100 for teaching evolution in Tennessee in the 1920’s)
Engel v Vitale- along with Murray v Currlett banned teachers leading students in prayer
West Virginia v Barnette- ruled students do not have to stand for the pledge. They do however have to remain respectful and not disruptive

17. Other issues Chaplains Seasonal displays at public buildings
Faith-based initiatives
Pledge controversy
Currency